Used primarily in the pharmaceutical industry as a chiral intermediate in the synthesis of various drugs, particularly those requiring specific stereochemistry for efficacy. It plays a crucial role in the production of enantiomerically pure compounds, which are essential in developing medications with reduced side effects and improved therapeutic outcomes. Additionally, it finds application in organic synthesis for constructing complex molecules due to its unique sulfinyl group, which can act as a directing group or participate in asymmetric transformations. Its role in catalysis and material science is also explored for creating advanced materials with specific optical or electronic properties.